Bear Robotics’ portfolio consists of its Servi+ robots, pictured above, Servi, Servi mini, and Carti. | Supply: Bear Robotics
LG Electronics USA Inc. at this time introduced that it has secured a majority stake in Bear Robotics Inc., an autonomous service robotic developer in Silicon Valley. LG mentioned the acquisition aligns with its technique to strengthen its presence within the robotics sector, a key development space for the corporate.
“This extra funding underscores our dedication to positioning robots as a pivotal development engine for the corporate, reflecting our perception of their inevitable position sooner or later,” said Lee Sam-soo, chief technique officer at LG Electronics. “We are going to persist in driving innovation throughout all sectors of robotics, encompassing industrial, industrial, and residential functions.”
On Jan. 22, LG’s board of administrators exercised a name possibility to accumulate an extra 30% stake in Bear Robotics. This follows an preliminary funding of $60 million in March 2024. This funding secured LG a 21% stake and a name possibility settlement for as much as an extra 30% stake. Upon completion of the decision possibility train, LG will maintain a 51% stake in Bear Robotics, successfully incorporating it as a subsidiary.
As a part of this strategic transfer, LG’s industrial robotic enterprise, primarily centered across the LG CLOi service robots, will probably be built-in with Bear Robotics’ line. It mentioned the important thing administration crew of Bear Robotics, together with CEO John Ha, will stay in place to make sure secure enterprise continuity and to concentrate on creating synergies in LG’s industrial robotic enterprise.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based LG Electronics is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a Seoul, South Korea-based $68 billion world developer of know-how and manufacturing. Within the U.S., LG sells a variety of dwelling home equipment, leisure merchandise, industrial shows, air con techniques, and car elements.
Bear Robotics to spice up dwelling robotic improvement
Based in 2017, Bear Robotics mentioned its indoor supply robots cater to markets within the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The Redwood Metropolis, Calif.-based firm mentioned it has experience in distributed multi-robot management, distant fleet administration techniques, and synthetic intelligence-powered techniques.
LG goals to increase its presence within the industrial robotic market by Bear Robotics. On the similar time, the corporate intends to make use of its AI and manufacturing experience to strengthen its dwelling and industrial robotic companies.
The LG Dwelling Equipment Resolution Co. will spearhead the house robotic section. The division plans to concentrate on delivering a holistic expertise by which dwelling robots, powered by LG’s Affectionate Intelligence, can discern the well-being of members of the family and combine with dwelling home equipment and providers.
The corporate mentioned it intends to create an built-in software program platform for industrial, industrial, and residential robots with Bear Robotics’ know-how. LG mentioned the platform will ship a constant and high-quality consumer expertise throughout numerous functions.
By making use of this built-in platform universally to the event of various kinds of robots, the corporate expects to shorten improvement cycles.
Q9 AI dwelling hub combines applied sciences
LG Electronics mentioned an illustration of its imaginative and prescient is the Self-driving AI Dwelling Hub, or Undertaking Q9, which is slated for launch inside the yr. The robotic harnesses multimodal sensing capabilities, encompassing voice, sound, and picture recognition, coupled with autonomous driving know-how.
These notion talents allow Q9 to navigates obstacles corresponding to carpets and uneven surfaces, determine customers’ standing, and reply to their wants by connecting to and controlling dwelling home equipment and Web of Issues (IoT) gadgets. Its show can convey feelings and foster enhanced interplay and engagement, the corporate mentioned.
The Q9 additionally options Microsoft’s voice recognition and synthesis know-how, enabling pure and intuitive conversations with customers. To foster an open ecosystem, LG has additionally launched a software program improvement equipment (SDK) for the Q9 to encourage the event of additional capabilities.
“Robots are a sure future,” asserted William Cho, CEO of LG, at CES 2025. He urged that the corporate would possibly increase its focus past hospitality and logistics supply robots to incorporate the Self-driving AI Dwelling Hub and different dwelling robots to attain “Zero-labor Dwelling.”
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LG units sights on industrial, industrial robots
Within the realm of industrial robots, a cornerstone of LG’s Sensible Manufacturing unit enterprise, the corporate mentioned its Manufacturing Engineering Analysis Institute is spearheading substantial income development by the combination of AI and digital transformation.
The Autonomous Vertical Articulated Robotic makes use of cameras, radar, and lidar sensors to understand its environment, navigate effectively, and provide supplies. LG mentioned the robotic can execute duties corresponding to meeting and defect inspection with its robotic arm. This integration allows automation throughout a variety of operations, it claimed.
The corporate additionally mentioned its superior manufacturing capabilities and provide chain administration experience will assist its robotics enterprise be environment friendly and attentive to the market. LG added that its world gross sales community developed by its business-to-business (B2B) operations will facilitate broader product distribution.
By integrating industrial robots with a variety of B2B techniques, together with resort TVs, signage, and IT gadgets, LG mentioned it could possibly obtain a aggressive edge by a turnkey order method, delivering tailor-made merchandise that meet the precise wants of company purchasers.